subject: How To Pick The Perfect Student Runabout [print this page] Everybody dreams of the day theyll get the keys to their first car from the colour and the seatcovers to the mirror adornments and the music theyll be playing as they take it for its maiden spin. Back in the day if you were lucky enough to get your first runabout as a present from your folks, it would likely have been a family hand-me-down or a cheapie found in the classifieds cars under R20k section. But times have changed and for the better. There are more entry-level cars to choose from and with attractive price tags and payment options theyre also significantly more affordable.
Hyundais perfect student vehicle option is without a doubt the cheeky i10. Its trendy, zippy, surprisingly spacious and packed with tons of features that will make any owner the envy of his or her friends.
If youre young, hip and happening, you want a car to match your style. And the Hyundai i10 does just that. From its colour-coded bumpers and embedded indicators in the side mirrors on the outside to its cup holders and LED lit instrument display on the inside, the i10 screams cool. Plus you get to pick from a variety of bold colours such as Electric Red and Alpine Blue as well as classic options like Phantom Black, Carbon Grey and Sleek Silver.
The fact that its small (only from the outside), makes this Hyundai hatch a top choice for first-time drivers. Why? Well for starters its modest dimensions and small turning circle makes getting into a tiny parking bay as easy as it gets. Power steering also makes it more manoeuvrable, while a height adjustable driving seat helps to optimise visibility. The i10 however still has enough space for 5 adults, okay, maybe 4 if theyre on the varsity rugby team plus the rear seatback offers a 60/40 split if you need to make room for any bigger loads.
The Hyundai i10 surprisingly offers most of the comfort and safety specifications youd expect on a sporty hatch including air conditioning, front electric windows and a radio/CD/mp3 audio system with controls on the steering wheel. Model dependent safety features that will give parents peace of mind include ABS, EBD and multiple airbags.
However, what truly makes the Hyundai i10 stand out from the market crowd is affordability. The i10 retails from just over R100k, but thats not all. The 1.1L petrol-driven 5-door hatch also boasts exceptional fuel economy, which allows you to travel over 20km on just 1 litre of fuel.
To sum it up the i10 offers fun features, a great price, ample space, low fuel costs and great looks enough to make it a top student car choice? Id say.
